Cesc Fabregas' badge-kissing did little to convince the Daily Bung that he
won't follow Thierry Henry to Barcelona....

The FA have guaranteed the success of Sir Alex Ferguson's blatant crapness-masking smokescreen by confirming they will investigate his comments about Alan Wiley, therefore ensuring said crapness-masking smokescreen will continue masking crapness for some time yet.

Media player Rio Ferdinand, editor in chief of 5 magazine, has waded into the England internet debate, saying: "I read that online advertising has taken over from TV, so that tells you something about where it's going in terms of the digital world." Or, in other words, "ITV, you've been merked bruv!"

And reflecting the fact that they now lose against every good team they meet, Liverpool's title odds have slipped to 17/2.

Fabregas planted a sloppy wet smacker on the Gunners badge yesterday after scoring against Blackburn. The idea, of course, was to reassure the Emirates faithful (if faithful’s an accurate description of those piling out of the ground before Nik Bendtner’s stunning final goal) about his love for the club.

But was this latest outbreak of badge-kissing anything more than lip service?

Well, it certainly seems a long while since a sweaty snog with the club crest meant much.

Thierry Henry, Arsenal's posh-seat guest on Sunday, used to give his left nipple a fearful slapping after scoring for his beloved Gooners. Before he joined Barcelona anyway. Emmanuel Adebayor did the same. Before moving to Manchester City. And John Terry loves nothing more than planting his manly mouth on the Chelsea badge (before sprinting from the field to take a call about Man City’s latest contract offer).

"I would love [Barcelona] to sign Cesc and I’m sure we could play together,” said Xavi last week. “Clearly, a lot of his career is ahead of him and I think that in the future will be at Barca. He is a football player with Barca DNA and he is showing at Arsenal that he is on another level.”

Indeed, Fabregas was certainly on another level against Blackburn, scoring one, creating four, and hitting the bar. Without breaking sweat. It was his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, and afterwards, Arsene Wenger was honest enough to reveal what made him so good.

“Thierry inspired our goalscoring because they all wanted to show him what they could do,” said Wenger, silently resolving to make Barcelona scouts pay for their seats next time.